Businesses line up against gay wed law

Some business leaders are holding a press conference at the General Assembly at 11:30 a.m. today (Tuesday) to speak against the “Defense of Marriage” amendment.

The legislation, S514, proposes to amend the state constitution to make only straight marriages legal, essentially banning gay marriage. The state House of Representatives voted in favor of the amendment on Monday. The amendment would be up for popular vote in May 2012. The Senate is voting on it today.

Some members of the Triangle business community have spoken out against the amendment, stating that it could conflict with corporate domestic partners benefits and create an environment inhospitable to recruitment of workers, especially the creative class.

The business leaders who will speak at the press conference today are:

Richard Degnan, vice president of the Americas headquarters of The Body Shop

Anthony Pugliese, head of Durham office of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Eric Boggs, CEO of Argyle Social

Brian Fitzsimmons, vice president of The Sorin Group

Other business leaders, many of whom are in the Triangle, have thrown their weight behind opposition to the amendment with a letter delivered to legislators on Monday. The letter, signed by 75 people, can be read by clicking here.